West Mobile Annexation Lawsuit

Three West Mobile residents are asking a judge to stop the annexation vote. They filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming the city violated their voting rights and the Alabama Constitution by "pre-determining" who would be in favor of annexation before drawing the voting lines.
Last month, Mayor Sam Jones announced an annexation plan that would once again make Mobile Alabama's second largest city and eventually the state's largest. Mobile is currently third behind Birmingham and Montgomery.
The proposed annexation area, between Cody and Schillinger roads -- is divided into four sections. Unless a judge stops the election, voters in each section will decide if they want to become part of the city on September 18th.
A city of Mobile spokesperson tells News Five that the city has filed a summary motion saying the lawsuit has no merit.
The three people who filed the lawsuit held a news conference Wednesday afternoon. We'll have the latest on this legal battle tonight on News 5 at 5:00 and 6:00.